Citizens' participation, especially participatory budgeting, has
spread in both Asia and Europe, and has been a symbol of democratic
renewal. These transformations are already very visible in Europe,
where more than 200 municipalities have adopted participatory
budgeting. By contrast, in some Asian democracies, such as Japan or
South Korea, it has considerably enlarged the agenda of citizen
participation, integrating new forms such as taxpayers' budgets. In
other countries, especially in China, participatory budgeting
represents some adaptations of opening and transparency. With a
global cast of authors, this study provides an overview of the
impact of these devices, such as improving the modernisation of
public administration or improving the contact between citizens and
politicians, and documents the latest developments of citizen
participation in both continents.